Crimson Wave

My recovery from Annabel’s birth has been so amazingly easy that I should totally be the poster girl for c-sections. The contrast between how I am doing now versus how I was after Madeline’s birth is amazing. The circumstances were, of course, totally different, but I am really shocked by how good I’m doing. After Maddie’s birth I bled (heavily) for four weeks. After Annie’s I only bled (lightly) for six days. I took major pain medicine for weeks after my first c-section, this time I only take the occasional ibuprofen. Last time I wore maternity clothes for months, this time I’m fitting into pre-pregnancy pants (but don’t worry, the belly is still there). I’m glad I had no idea what a “normal” recovery should be my first time around, because I definitely would have been freaked out.

But then yesterday morning, I started bleeding out of nowhere. I was surprised and a little worried, since I hadn’t bled for 12 days and this was bright red. Luckily, I was scheduled for my two week appointment with Dr. Risky. As she examined me I told her about the bleeding. She asked a few more questions, and then said, “It’s your period.”

I threw my head back and howled, “nooooooooooo!”

I got my period exactly 28 days after Madeline was born, and now I had it 18 days after Annabel’s birth. My. Body. Hates me.

But still, I was in denial. I asked her how that was possible, since I am breast feeding and it hasn’t even been a month since Annie was born.

“Oh yeah, it’s absolutely possible. You’re just one of the lucky ones.”

And then she said, “Let’s talk about your birth control options.”

So I said, “ABSTINENCE!” because HELLO!

She replied, “Yeah, but not forever, and you’re probably super fertile.”

I said, “all I have to do is tell my husband that and his penis will curl up into his body. Problem solved!”

She laughed and then handed me a prescription for progesterone birth control pills.

Now I have nine months of PMS slamming me. Thank goodness I can now eat chocolate.

Amy K says:

Aw, I feel for you. I just got mine recently after 10 months (sorry!) of breastfeeding, and I couldn’t figure out why I NEEDED CHOCOLATE RIGHT NOW OMG, and why I suddenly had the acne of a teenager. And then it became apparent. But 18 days? That’s just cruel and unusual.

Krissa says:

That photo is adorable! She is such a pretty baby. … About 7 years ago I was doing amateur body building and my body fat got so low that I didn’t have a menstrual cycle for a year. I know that’s not healthy, but boy, that was a great year. That really sucks that you started again already. Boo!!! Not fair.

Annie says:

After my first son I never stopped my postpartum bleeding before my period started! Bled for weeks! Glad you got some birth control. Can’t tell you how many siblings I see less than a year a part (I work in postpartum/antepartum) b/c mom thought breastfeeding would keep her from getting pregnant. Glad you’re recovering so nicely. Annie is gorgeous!

Cinthia says:

Oh wow, she really does look like Madeline in this picture! I am very happy about that. And lol on the Irish twins… John Leguizamo called them Puerto Rican twins, but I guess the point is more any ethnicity twins.

OMG, THAT PHOTO! Just gorgeous. You have such a beautiful baby girl and you take wonderful photos. I’m loving that little red bow. Awww! Here’s to hoping that the crimson wave doesn’t last that long and that it’s not too bad.

Oh, that is SO unfair! I’ve always got 5 months for each of my babies, and I thought that was a bit rough since they were all fully breast-fed until at least 6 months.
Annie is such a darling, and you are such a great photographer… Glad you’re recovering well
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Run, run! =-.

Ready to go on the wall in a nice frame… The picture. Maybe it is time for birth control without bleeding… They do exist, and it is heaven to not have menstruation. I like the mental image of the crown jewel to curl up and shrivel… Grin. Will NOT show my husband, he might freak out…
.-= catherine lucas´s last blog ..An airport is an airport =-.

i am going to be the lone wolf here and say that i WISH i could get my cycle back like that. with my first daughter, it took 15 months and i did all kinds of stuff to bring it on. i had another baby 8 months ago, and 1) my clothes STILL do not fit, and 2) i am nowhere near fertile. i am going to have to wean if i ever want to get pregnant again (and stay pregnant). i would like to breastfeed for at least 2 years…but i can’t get/stay pregnant while bf’ing…so, that’s my dilema. sucks.

Haha! Well, congratulations dear! Whew! I guess that period of yours is just excited to see the world again! I thought if you exclusively breastfeed your child, it would take you 6 months of free pregnancy! Hehehe! Well, good luck on your pills, progesterone pills are really for breastfeeding woman….

Audra says:

Kathryn says:

What a sweetie! Love the little red bow. Looks so pretty in her dark hair.

Should I say congrats on being super fertile? Sounds like a good thing! I wish your pregnancies were easier on you…then I’d say go for the Irish twins! Mine are 15 months apart and it’s wonderful (most days). :o)

I got my period back right away with both my kids even though I was pumping. But I hope you don’t get what I had happen next. I ended up with the neverending period. We are talking 8 week periods, week off, then another 8 week period.

Mary Ann says:

Kristen McD says:

The progesterone-only pill’s effectivness can be as low as 87%. We wound up doubling up, because after two pregnancies we “tried for” about two weeks each, we figured we’d stack the odds a little better in our favor.

tonya says:

I am glad someone addressed this. And, it was explained to me that the effectiveness goes even lower as baby starts solids and is breastfeeding less. I didn’t know this, and my nurse about had a fit when, at my checkup over YEAR after my first was born I told her I just really liked the pill I was on. The progesterone one. She asked if the baby was weaned and I told her that she had been at a year. I was then told that it was a miracle that I had not gotten pregnant and to use a back up method as I started the new pill. She said that the progesterone pill is only effective for nursing mothers who exclusively nurse on demand. Take that for what it’s worth, but I didn’t ask any questions!

“Super-fertile” makes me picture you as covered in Miracle-Grow, getting lots of sunlight and watered regularly.

Just a note on those progesterone pills…I felt like they decreased my milk supply. And they’re only effective if you ABSOLUTELY remember to take them at the same time every day. So I have 5 months worth sitting in my bathroom cabinet unused because what mom can remember to take a pill at 7 am every morning? I can’t even remember to brush my teeth. Luckily, that problem also encourages abstinance. Although I’ll take that period off your hands if you want, I’m just about ready for #2.
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Sooner or Later =-.

dmm says:

I got mine 28 days after giving birth and nursing 100% too. How’d we’d all end up so lucky, unlike the gals who don’t have it for a year after birth?

And like Suzanne said, despite being a very good regular pill taker, the mini pill they give you was not effective for me either since I slept all sorts of crazy hours the first 4 months our son was born. I figured abstinance at first and than it was up to dad to make sure there were no irish twins by using his own little coat!

Chris L says:

My neice got pregnant on that pill while breastfeeding her 1st born and she only had a 30% chance of getting pregnant the first time. She was a medical miracle. So be careful. Her kids are exactly 1 year apart. Just saying!

She’s really adorable and 3 of my 5 births I started my period right away also and I was breastfeeding full time, I got lucky with #4 and 5 it started later I am very happy to hear you’re all doing well

Yeah a real “Lucky One” huh? I loved being pregnant just for not having to worry about a period, and of course my beautiful baby, but seriously the the period thing was really key.
.-= charlane´s last blog ..The Stats =-.

Katie says:

Your recovery sounds exactly like my recovery with 2nd son. He was a scheduled c-section and he is now 9 months old. Anyway-I bled for only a week and then it started again 2 weeks later bright red. My doctor told me it was because I was doing too much and I needed to slow down and let my body heal. It was definitely not my period because that didn’t show up until a month ago. I felt so awesome after my c-section that I hadn’t realized I was doing too much. I bet it’s the same in your case. At least, I hope so

Laura says:

Yikes!!! 18 days is just not right when you are breastfeeding!!! It should be sooooo much longer!

BUT- I have far less sympathy than I should for you because: a. you are fitting in pre-pregnancy jeans 18 days after giving birth, and b. hellooooooo, you had no stretch marks with that super-sized belly!!! I am soooooooooooo jealous!!!

Ok, ok, I will be nice! You don’t deserve to ride the crimson wave already, even if you looked amazing pregnant AND are back to pre-preggers pants, you gorgeous, skinny biotch!! I guess I’m just a hater because my baby will be two in a few months and I am nowhere near being able to wear my old jeans! Sigh.

Being a girl sucks sometimes. Hope the PMS is not too bad! Hang in there, Mama!

Linda Campbell says:

That is the first picture of Annie I have seen that I really see her sister in her. Very sweet!

Having your period after 18 days could be worse. I bled for 5 MONTHS!!! Which ultimately resulted in a hysterectomy, which resulted in no more children for me! Be happy your body is functioning normally!!

Gee aren’t you lucky. By the way, I remember that you had gestational diabetes ( I do too), and I was researching some info about it the other day and found several articles that linked taking progesterone only birth control pills after having GD to an increase in risk for getting type II diabetes within 5 years of your pregnancy. I plan on asking my OB about it at my next appt, you might want to ask Dr. Risky about it. I would absolutely hate to be on this diet forever! I like sugar too much!

I don’t think I’ll have to worry too much about birth control…my husband swears he’s getting snipped the day after our baby is born because he can’t handle another pregnancy like this one.
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Ridin’ the Roller Coaster =-.

I bled for 4 weeks stopped for about a day then got my period. Good times! On a positive note I got it every other month for the first six months. Some would call that a break, I still considered it misery.
.-= Danielle @danielle92278´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.

Ugh. I have 4 kids, and my period always showed up almost 6 weeks to the day of their birth….so not fun. Now that I have to have it every month because we aren’t planning on anymore biological children, it totally sucks. I feel like i’m always bleeding, or expecting to every minute.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..When a little boy gets really independent… =-.

Jen Deaux says:

I have Irish twin boys and I love it. They aren’t even 11 months apart. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. They ate the best of friends. They wear the same size now so it’s a little cheaper on my wallet thank god. I completely suggest having kids close together if possible.

Sarah B says:

Annie is just toooooooo cute!!! I totally feel your pain on the early arrival of your period. Even though I exclusively breastfed, I had about 3 weeks of lochia (yucky word, isn’t it) and then my good ole period started up 1 week after it ended. Good thing that babies make good natural heating pads!

Kim says:

I have a friend who had three in three years (two are 365 days apart, thank goodness for leap years or they’d have the same birthday; also, the first was born 9 months and 1 day after their wedding). So…definitely thinking that some pill is better than none!

Ohmigod, Annie is beautiful! She really looks like Maddie in this one.

I did something similar after my c-section. Bled for about a week (lightly), then nothing. Then at about 3 weeks post-partum, here it came! I freaked out and went to the doctor, but he said it was lochia. (ew) My period came back when Dean was 9 weeks old (and I was nursing) and stayed for ELEVEN FREAKING DAYS. Fortunately, I still had my ginormous hospital pads, which I shamlessly liberated upon checkout, to get me through. Gosh, do you have cramps? I’ll bet that’s zero fun after recent surgery on your lady parts. Mother Nature really is a beeotch sometimes, isn’t she?

Meg...CT says:

Ginny says:

I don’t know what’s normal for a c-section. All I know is that my best friend had her first one in May and she had a really rough recovery. Pain for weeks but the pain meds made her so sleepy and woozy so she quit taking them after 4 days. Her scar is still sensitive and was downright sore for months. I’m glad you are doing so much better, but I don’t know which is supposed to be normal! Also, Annie is so beautiful!

It is possible, considering how lightly you bled (that is totally not what anyone I know experienced, but maybe related to the c-section), that it is just a bit of lochia still. Even though it was bright red. It is totally normal for lochia to stop then start.
I exclusively breastfed (and on demand, not on schedule) and my periods returned at 12-16 weeks. I have also always gotten pregnant really easily!
.-= TracyKM´s last blog ..A Little More =-.

Shes says:

Adorable baby! Very happy for you two. You deserve a break after all you have been through in the past year, and Aunt Flo aint it! Stupid nature. Anyway, wanted to second a commenter above-tried the ‘nursing’ (progesterone only) pill for a week, milk supply went in the tank big time. Hopefully won’t happen to you, but if it does, you’ll know where to look first. Enjoy your bundle of joy!

Diane V says:

At least you found out before you became pregnant. One of my sister’s friends found out that she was almost 4 weeks pregnant at her 6 week check up. And then she had the baby early so they are only 8 months apart.

Angela says:

I had my son on Dec. 19, ’04. He weighed 5 lbs 15 oz and was 18 in long…

one year later….

I had my daughter on Dec. 19 ’05. She weighed 5 lbs 15 oz and was 18 in long!

Talk about Irish twins! I would think that it is rare to have two kids on the same date, exactly one year apart, but then to throw in the same weight and same length! I guess it wasn’t, though….I never got my 15 mins of fame! LOL

Annie is absolutely gorgeous! You are blessed to have her, and she to have you.

Kristin says:

I know it’s been said already…but I wanted to “dito” some of the other comments. I took that same birth control pill and my milk supply decreased dramatically. Then I went off the pill and my milk never fully came back. Unfortunately, I ended up having to stop breast feeding. Just wanted to warn you because I wish my doctor would have told me about the possible side effects.

PS. I LOVE your blog! I read it every morning! I’m so happy for you and Mike and Annie is adorable!

Trisha Vargas says:

Michelle says:

MIne are 12.5 months apart. Two Csections. That was hard on my body. I got pregnant while weaning from breastfeeding and was taking the breastfeeding birth control. oops… went in for IUD and got told we had another baby on the way instead!

Oh my gosh Heather, I would scream too! I just had my first period since I got pregnant with Emma…March 27, 2002 was my last period. Yeah, almost 8 years and 4 kids. I guess I’ll take that over fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans

Hehe, I am much the same! I have been pregnant or breastfeeding since 1996. I can count the number of periods I have had in these almost 14 years on my fingers! I have had 7 kiddos in that time period, and some other occurances, but none unplanned or unexpected!
.-= Megan J in Ohio´s last blog ..Our Winter Wonderland =-.

Geese 18 days?! That is nuts – My babies are 14 months apart … never even thought aobut getting preggo with #2 becasue as baby 1 was only 5 months old and I still had yet to get my period … then I thought oh wow these cramps are worse than any period I had ever had … DUH I was preggers again … only took about 2 hours for it to register in my mind. I wouldn’t trade them being that close for the life of me … but I had very easy easy pregancies. Praying that your body is nice to you with pms and the breast feeding continues to go well!
.-= MBKimmy´s last blog ..We love the Fishes! =-.

LOL about “Irish twin.” My husband is half-mexican, and he always calls that “Mexican twins!”

I briefly had a chance to meet you and Maddie last year at the Griffith Park playdate w/ Matt & Maddy Logelin. Your Maddie was beautiful, and so is Annabel. Much love to you and your family!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Wellington’s Wednesday =-.

Omigod she is breathtaking! I don’t think an Irish twin would be so bad, but than again I don’t have to do any of the work. My recovery after my second c-section was so much easier then my first too but my first one was an emergency after 24 hours of labor and my water being broke. So I definitely think the scheduled c-section without all the labor was the way to go! It sucks that you got your period already! Who knew that could happen? I thought one of the perks of breastfeeding was that Aunt Flo stayed away?!
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..It’s All Fun And Games Until… =-.

I made milk like a cow and nursed my son and STILL got my period a mere one month after giving birth. And imagine how excited I was about this considering that I’m INFERTILE! Can’t get pregnant on my own, but my period comes like clockwork. Thanks, Universe. Sometimes you are beyond awesome with your irony.

jen says:

I have had 2 children and they were/are both breastfed exclusively…..with both children I got my period 4 wks after I stopped the after bleed….I also felt gyped like I had just had this baby and I was breastfeeding and this isn’t supposed to happen to me!!!! I am also very fertile tho…..maybe its a good thing?

You poor gkirl. Periods should stay away while you are so buesyx we. I got the Mirena IUsiD at my six week checkup to avoid the bonus babies, and once that bleeding stopped it was a year before I had a tiny wee period. I recommend it!
.-= GingerB´s last blog ..Hannah tricks =-.

Jannette says:

Amy says:

I didnt read all the comments so this may have already been said…but, I got my period a month and a half after my daughter was born and also went to the doc to talk about birth control. She mentioned a pill that was compatible with breast feeding but it was ONLY 80% EFFECTIVE!!!! Not sure if its the same one… but just wanted to let you know…. THat was too risky of a number for us!!
Annie is beautiful!!

With my 1st child (full-term, vaginal delivery) I bled heavily for 6 weeks. She had issues with projectile vomiting, and we were constantly taking her for bloodwork, various tests, ultrasounds, etc. (nearly every day the 1st couple of weeks), so my body had little time to rest.
With my 2nd (premature at 32 weeks, emergency c-section), I also bled heavily 6 weeks. Again, running back & forth to NICU and taking care of my older child. . . I don’t think there was time for my own rest or recovery.
I breastfed both children until 13 months (never did formula).
Both times, I didn’t get my period until seven months post-partum! Awesome seven months! (But I figured I bled enough those 1st 6 weeks to make up for the missed “monthlies.”)
I’m 36 weeks now, and hoping for a VBAC this time around and wondering if this will be a normal recovery or ??
.-= Becky´s last blog ..28-1/2 Inches. . . and 12-20 More On the Way =-.

Chrisie says:

Oh, no, Heather! That SUCKS! But I’m sure you forget about it each time you like at sweet Annabel.

Since we’re all sharing, and at the risk of you punching me next time we hang out, I didn’t get mine till Em was 9 months, I think. I enjoyed that time while it lasted, although it was a little scary to wonder if I were pregnant each month, even with my IUD.
.-= Nanette´s last blog ..Days 33-38 =-.

Well, that just blows! I didn’t know it could come back so fast. Well, at least you can eat chocolate now and gaze at your gorgeous baby while you’re doing it.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Protected: Trying out Temple life… =-.

Hah! I am an Irish Twin! My poor mom had her hands full with my brother who was breach and delivered via old fashioned C-section. At her post partum visit I was already growing inside her. Then less than 2 years after I was born, my sister came along… I can’t even imagine 3 in diapers! Yipes!

I was lucky enough NOT to have a period the whole time I nursed both my girls. Actually, I didn’t even get one between them b/c I got pregnant while breastfeeding. So, for me, no period for over 30 months.

Yes, it was awesome.
.-= Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..Anatomy of a Troll =-.

Courtney K says:

Hello Spohr Family, everyone looks great and Annie is just beautiful! I can’t get over how much she looks like Maddie! I love this pic, it looks just like a Anne Geddes shot! You all take care and keep up the great work!

Granted, I’m no Dr and Dr. Risky probably knows better than I do, but I was told that I couldn’t go on BC pills because of the fact I had had a clotting disorder (Anti-phospholipid antibodies and Anti-nuclear antibodies) and had to take heparin, which put me at a higher risk for developing clots while on BC pills. So my Dr. never allowed me to go back on BC pills. You might want to check on that again.

As someone who went through infertility and then two high risk pregnancies, I was shocked to find out that after 2 babies I suddenly became extremely fertile! So yeah, be careful unless you’re ready for another one.

Jacquie says:

My mom was told some 20 or so years ago that as long as she was breastfeeding, her chances of getting pregnant were super slim… Well, my brother and I are 12.5 months apart so that sure didn’t work out for her either!

Andrea says:

I’m passing on some info. that I wish I had been given before taking the progesterone pill: while they “officially” do not affect milk supply (per studies done), going on them totally zapped my milk supply and I know several others who were similarly affected. I’m not trying to scare you and you might be just fine if you go that route, but just thought I’d pass on the info…

Congrats again, and I’m glad your recovery is so much better this time (sorry about your period though – that sucks!)

I’m thinking I should stop complaining now about trying to dry my milk up and the “possibility” of my cycle returning after her absence for oh, 20 months give or take….
.-= Pamela @ 2 Much Testosterone´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – White Trash Edition =-.

Sherry says:

She is absolutely precious, what a beauty! So happy to hear she and her mommy are doing great after the birth and all. Also glad to hear your recovery is going well. I also had an emergency c-section and recovered from it extremely well, it was a blessing.

Ugh. I had the 5-6 weeks of bleeding constantly postpartum lochia thing. Which you can ALSO get pregnant during. And then, a period <28 days later. For once, I can't feel too sorry for ya!
However, I am now on Mirena and wooooo they did NOT tell me I'd have another 4 weeks of constant bleeding, they said SPOTTING and it was NOT spotting, but neither was it dangerous, just annoying.
ANYhow, now that that was over, I have like 1 day of almost but not quite spotting and WOOT that is IT. NO PERIODS FTW!

Kristie Nix says:

I had the same issues you’re having! I started the progesterone b/c pills and they totally killed my sex drive, so maybe your problem will be solved. I didn’t have another period the whole time I nursed, just that first one 15 days after my little one was born. Exactly 28 days after I stopped nursing, I started my period! Good Luck!

I’m going to eat some chocolate in your honor…wait- if I eat it FOR you, does that mean that you get the calories??? I mean, you are all thin and gorgeous and don’t look at all like you just had a baby, so they totally won’t hurt you.
Also? Your pictures of Annie are making my biological clock tick. LOUDLY. She is beautiful. Nibble her cheeks for me.

Laurie says:

Annabel is so amazingly beautiful! Shei s seriously one of the most beautiful newborns ever!

So funny you talk about the crimson wave, my daughter just turned 1 year this week and TODAY i started the crimson wave, TMI?!?! Anyway, I read your title and I thought “How did she know?!?!” haha! It’s been a wonderful 9 months + 1 year of no “friend”, but I’m sad that you got yours so soon. But it’s a small price for you compared to that gorgeous baby of yours!!!

julie says:

i don’t think i’ve ever commented here, but i have what might be good news for you – if the progesterone bcp’s are *micronor*, after a few months on them, you might stop having periods. i’ve been taking progesterone bcp’s for years (because of migraines) and when i finally got hold of the name-brand stuff, i rejoiced. i didn’t have a period this month, and my last one was about 2 days long.

it never happened with the three generics i took, but the ortho stuff is a champ. one thing though… you have to be extra super diligent about taking them. i mean as close to every 24 hrs as possible.

I keep not comenting because I read on my phone in the wee hours. Sorry, I’m a non-commenting tool. But I still love ya, and read every day, and HOLY CUTE BABY.
Gosh, she looks like Maddie, but I know you knew that. They are both beautiful.
PS – I used to sell that progesterone only pill. The failure rates are …astounding. Take it on time, every single time, and use back up. Just a hint.

Wow. Already? With my first, I didn’t get my monthly friend back for 45 days after I finished breastfeeding. And the only reason I stopped breastfeeding her at a year was so that I could get it back and start working on #2.

I saw a few days ago your tweet about using a belly wrap. Which one do you use and do you like it? I want to get one for after I have my second little girl in May…

Linda says:

Secondly, I had my 3rd c-section on Dec. 30 and bled for only a week. Roughly a week later I started bleeding again and it lasted for a few weeks. The same thing happened after I had my first daughter so I thought it was my period but then I didn’t bleed again until 14 months PP. (I was also bfing) My doctor also said it was my period when I went in for my 6 week check-up but I guess she was wrong. Maybe the same thing is what is happening with you. Guess you’ll find out next month if the bleeding returns or not. Fingers crossed it’s not your period.

Congrats on your baby girl. I read your blog but have never responded.

Christine says:

I wouldn’t be so sure about the period. Obviously the dr knows more than I do, but I thought I got me period 3 weeks after my 2nd was born. I was ticked because he was breastfeeding every 2-3hrs. And I didn’t get my period at all after my 1st (got pg with #2 when he was 9mos old).
Anyways what I thought was my period wasn’t because it didn’t come back for another 8months.

cee says:

I got my period 2.5 months after I had my girls. It was a welcome break. Of course, I am NOT super fertile, so my husband was all up on me. sigh.
.-= MAYA´s last blog ..Never Take Candy From a Stranger =-.

I had the opposite problem. I didnt have a period for almost 2 years and I had stopped breastfeeding at 9 months! It totally freaked me out! I bought more pregnancy test in that last year then in the rest of my life combined! Although, I have to say, I wouldnt want to have your problem either! Then again, if I got away with anything, it is making up for it now! I am 3 months pregnant and puking at least once a day! It is horrible!

Alice says:

I’d be careful starting that pill though. It can definitely decrease your supply and it can also jump start your period! So, on the off chance it’s not a period and is lochia (which can start and stop, mine did with my second and I didn’t see it again til 10 months pp), I’d wait until it shows up for a second time.

Abstinence is the way to go. I told my husband he was welcome to help himself out whenever he needed, I’d be long when I was ready, LOL!

Marti from Michigan says:

Ugh! I did not have my period for the 12 months I nursed my baby! Didn’t miss them either. Seems the second I stopped nursing, it came right back with a vengeance! So sorry you got “the curse” so soon after Annabel’s birth!

Yes, keep plenty of chocolate in the house, you’ll need it.

Annabel looks a lot like Maddie in that picture of her with the little red bow. Now I’m sure God and Maddie helped create Annie!

I’m there with you sister! My doctor said the same thing to me! I got my period 4 weeks after giving birth. And I breastfed- How UNFAIR is that?!?!? Yeah, and um, the no-sex? Yeah, sure, they SAY that until about oh… 3 weeks later and that flies out the window. I’m on Nuvaring. I like it. Good luck staying unpregnant!

Jen C. says:

Wow! That sucks! I’m sorry Aunt Flo is already back.
Just a been there, done that FYI for the progesterone… It dried up my milk less than 3 weeks after beginning it and it was so hard to get my supply back up. It’s not common, but not a rare side effect either, so just watch for that.
She is so precious. What a beautiful gift. ?

Third ~ I have not Irish twins, but girls 15 months apart. They are now just over 3 and almost 2. Tonight after bath time as they played on our bed, the elder ended up feeding her yogurt to the younger. Cutest thing ever. I would not have spaced them any differently. It’s a life-sucking siege much of the time, but also just damn wonderful.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Snow? =-.

MelissaG says:

I don’t know if this was mentioned but I had a similar thing happen to me. Bleeding after I had been done for a bit. BUT, it didn’t come back again for months. I exclusively breastfed all of mine for at least 6 months and then when we added solids they still only got breast milk along with it. I was SO irritated that it didn’t stay gone longer…I think it came back for real around 6-9 months w/ each child. SO, maybe you won’t get it again for a while???

I just had my second baby 4 weeks ago, and I found that my recovery was easier than last time too for the most part.

And with my first baby, I bled for 4 weeks, stopped, then had a period at 6 weeks but it didn’t come back again until I was 6 months postpartum. Here’s hoping the same thing will happen for you because 18 days is seriously a raw deal!
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Snowpocalypse/Snowapalooza/Snowmageddon/Snow More 2010 =-.